Cricket Australia has rejected suggestions from the Nine Network that the broadcaster could have input into team selections over the summer.
Jeff Browne, managing director of the Nine Network, told a business luncheon in Sydney on Wednesday the network had to have the best players playing all the time in order to attract television ratings.
CA consistently rotated its players last summer to keep them fresh for what is an increasingly packed schedule for the sport.
“I understand why sports want to do that but people at home want to see the best players playing and we urge Cricket Australia to pick the best players every time,” Browne said.
“I think we’ve got a better understanding on that. Last year that balance was skewed too much in favour of resting some players so from now on there will be a lot more discussion between CA and the broadcaster about that.”
But CA scuppered any talk the broadcaster would have direct input or even influence over selections.
“Cricket has a long-standing and successful relationship with the Nine Network but team selections and scheduling are matters for Cricket Australia,” CA CEO James Sutherland said in a statement.
“The national selection panel selects the Australian teams. With the volume of international cricket being played, it will continue to be necessary for us to manage player workloads appropriately.
“We’ll continue to consult with our broadcasters on scheduling issues. It’s something we have always done. We have a common goal with our broadcast partners to maximise the number of fans watching and enjoying cricket. We’ll consider all ideas and then make the appropriate decisions.”
Pope Paul VII
Guest
We are gunna have Maxy to the Max the Big Show Maxwell headlining and James Brayshaw going off his nana, Brownie can't complain about that. Hey just thought, Brayshaw might provide the graveyard shift commentary in the ashes, perfectly suited I reckon.
Planet Football
Guest
I can't believe some of the comments on here. A broadcaster having a say in team selection...words fail me. Absolutely preposterous and ludicrous. To me, this perfectly illustrates the arrogance and self-importance of this broadcaster. How can they even imagine having a voice? If they are not happy with the product, why did they bid so much money in the first place? What a shame this shower of clowns have the broadcast rights again. I was really hoping that one of the other channels would outbid them. And a pity that we have to put up with them during this upcoming Ashes series in England, after the great and far superior job SBS did in 2005 and 2009. I won't have a bar of these idiots during the Ashes Tests in England - I will be listening to it on the radio.
Po Hansy
Guest
Outrageous! If wasn't signed off in the contract it's a dead issue. For the record I dont watch cricket on 9. Lost interest in their over talkative commentors a couple of years ago. Arrogant sods
Matt Man
Roar Rookie
+100
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Karl Stefanovic? Yes please! And having to face a couple of well-placed Jimmy Anderson bouncers I hope. That'll wipe the perpetual smirk off his face... :o
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Agree totally Felix Mr Sutherland is busy prostituting our great game and national team for the greater money despite it showing all the signs of being fools gold , not only is he doing it but he's pretending what we're seeing isn't really what's happening well Mr Sutherland sooner than later you are going to be left playing with yourself and the CA Board are as much to blame as he is to let him drag Australian Cricket through the mud so sullied and defiled that no self-respecting cricket lover would want to touch it anymore
Felix
Guest
Cricket Australia made their bed now they've got to lie in it with Jeff Browne, and I get a feeling he won't spoon nice either.
AnthonyDArcy
Guest
You need to rest players occasionally in order to blood the next generation of players and give hope to those on the fringe. If you don't, you end up with a vaccuum similar, but worse than the one we have now.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Why not? Someone has to step in and save cricket Australia from itself. People are not interested in watching Australia "D", "E" or "F". We want to see the best possible Aussie 11 barring injuries for all games. If it is such a problem then cut back the number of games. Else, tv companies don't pay as much and there is less money to go around. Comprendo?
Matt Man
Roar Rookie
Well, they forked out the money. So surely as a major stakeholder, Nine should have some input? Looking forward to some B-list celebrities padding up at some point. Karl Stefanovic, anyone?
Talisman
Guest
Who do you believe? The people who put the money up or the recipients trying (unsuccessfully) to convince me that they know what they're doing & what's best for Australian cricket? We'll probably not know what happens away from the media but if the 'rotation policy' suddenly disappears that will be a strong indication that Ch 9 have in fact had an influence. Mind you I never agreed with the policy but that's another story. And if that happens, my lifelong following & support for cricket will sadly come to an end.
AdamS
Roar Guru
This is ludicrous. Browny, you just bought the rights to broadcast it, you didn't buy it.... Sheesh. How has such a clueless person become the MD?